Bethlehem Chapel (Betlémská Kaple) is set on Bethlehem Square (Betlémské náměstí), a delightful little square just a few minutes walk from the much larger Old Town Square
Bethlehem Chapel has had a torrid history, which reflects the many religious wars to impact Prague and the Czech Republic.
Bethlehem Chapel was founded in 1391 as a church where services could be held in the Czech language. Jan Hus, the founder of the Hussite movement and a Czech national hero, preached here from 1402-1412.
The Czech Technical University then took control until 1661, when Bethlehem Chapel was altered from a protestant to a catholic church by the Jesuits.
In 1786, a major section of the chapel was destroyed. It was reconstructed in the 20th century under the instruction of the architect J. Fragner. Parts of the original walls remain in the structure.
Bethlehem Chapel continues to hold regular religious services. While the crypt hosts temporary exhibitions.